Greencastle graduate Jared Smith drafted by Seattle Seahawks

It was the moment he has spent the majority of his life preparing for.

On Saturday, Jared Smith was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, officially turning a dream into reality.

Smith, a 2008 graduate of Greencastle-Antrim, spent his collegiate career playing defensive tackle at the University of New Hampshire, where his on-field production has now translated into an opportunity to compete professionally.

"Actually hearing my name and seeing where I am right now, I felt more of a sense of accomplishment over anything else," Smith said. "After being projected to go in the fourth or fifth round and than not being picked until the seventh, I really wasn't sure what to think.

I got a bunch of calls saying that teams were going to pick me and then they didn't, so it got a little nerve-racking. But, knowing everything that I've been through and to go to a great organization like Seattle, it's just a great feeling having everything come full circle."

Smith's standout career at New Hampshire, and the consequent accolades that followed, earned him an invite to the NFL Combine back in February.

Here, Smith increased his stock with a solid showing in front of executives, scouts and coaches from all 32 NFL teams, receiving interest from numerous franchises throughout the extensive process.

After having a private workout with the Saints in New Orleans earlier this month, Seattle flew offensive line coach Tom Cable to Greencastle last Wednesday, when Smith was put through another workout at Kaley Field.

Following Cable's evaluation, the Seahawks made the decision to select Smith with the 241st overall pick, ironically with the intent of utilizing him as an offensive lineman, not a defensive tackle.

"They're planning to move me to center," said Smith, who's listed at 6-foot-3 and 302 pounds. "I've played defense my whole life, so at first I wasn't sure how to feel about it. But, when an opportunity presents itself, you have to take it. You can't be picky. If it gets me to where I want to go, that's all you can ask for."

Easing the transition will be Smith's relationship with current Seahawk J.R. Sweezy, who played defensive tackle in college before being drafted by Seattle as an offensive lineman last year.

"I'm really good friends with J.R. Sweezy, who they did the same thing with," the 23-year-old Smith explained. "Coach Cable has experience with these transitions, so I'm going to completely put my trust in him."

Now solidified as the first-ever NFL draftee to graduate from Greencastle, the accomplishment is certainly reverberating across the home front.

"We're excited for him," G-A head football coach Chuck Tinninis said. "He's worked really hard to be the player that he is today and now he has the chance to compete on the sport's highest level. We're proud of him and wish him the best of luck."

Page 2 of 2 - During his senior season at New Hampshire, Smith recorded 40 total tackles, including 10 for a loss, while registering four sacks and two forced fumbles. He was invited to play in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game and was named to the Colonial Athletic Association first team.

Smith's professional journey will begin on Friday when he flies to Seattle in preparation for his first mini-camp under head coach Pete Carroll. Rookies are then put through a separate camp and also an orientation process, all of which Smith intends to embrace along the way.

"This is a great opportunity with a franchise that I'm excited to play for," Smith said. "I'm going to dedicate everything I have to it and work extremely hard to become the best pro that I can be."